This week we sat down with the “big boss” Professor Michael Kidd, who was appointed Principal Medical Advisor and Deputy Chief Medical Officer this year with the Department of Health. Michael had quite a few things to say about primary health care nurses rolling up their sleeves during the pandemic and keeping Australia healthy. He also had some interesting insights into the next steps of managing COVID-19, tips on how to become a nurse novelist, but most importantly, he revealed what famous actor he’d like to play him if a movie was ever made about COVID-19 in Australia.

Professor Michael Kidd talks all things COVID-19 to his career journey as a GP and an author

This week we spoke with Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Alison McMillan. Alison gave us an insight into how nurses can manage stress and burnout during these turbulent times and if we can ever expect life to resume as normal again. We also took a trip down memory lane: how Alison’s career journey began in Sunderland, north of England, and what brought her to Australia all those years ago. We also found out Alison is not only a proud nurse, but also enjoys a glass of wine and is a real foodie.  If she wasn’t Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, they’d probably make a role for her called ‘Chief Chef of Australia’.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Alison McMillan, is definitely 'Not Just a Nurse'.

In this episode we chatted with Angela Ryan from the Australian Digital Health Agency about all things ‘My Health Record’. Angela explained the biggest benefits around ‘My Health Record’, as well as the biggest myths. The episode is jam-packed with information to help you continue to be the evidence-based and best-practice nurse that you are.

Angela Ryan from the Australian Digital Health Agency discusses 'My Health Record'

In this edition of Not Just a Nurse, we talk to Kaara Calma. Kaara is a registered nurse, who works in general practice, a teacher at the University of Wollongong’s School of Nursing, a PhD student researching the topic of nursing student’s perceptions, and preparedness to work in primary care, and last year was awarded ‘Recently Graduated Nurse of the Year’ by APNA. We discuss a recent research paper on ‘The support needs of Australian primary health care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic’—that Kaara was one of the authors of—her career journey, how she juggles her busy schedule and top tips for getting organised, as well as key advice for younger nurses.

Kaara Calma wears many hats—Nurse in GP, a teacher, and a PHD student—how does she do it all?

Joining us in this episode is Virginia Beckerman, a clinical nurse educator at the Royal Children’s Hospital Allied Health and Nursing Education Outreach Program. We discuss her professional journey and key moments that led her to becoming a nurse educator, and how free coffee could be one way to celebrate nurses for International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Virginia offers pearls of wisdom throughout our chat, which is sure to inspire you wherever you are in your career journey.

Could free coffee for nurses be the answer? Virginia Beckerman thinks so

In this episode of Not Just a Nurse, we speak with APNA’s sweetheart, Jo Millard. Jo is a registered nurse, a project officer at APNA, and has a zeal for primary health care nursing like no other. We delve into key moments that led her to becoming a nurse, how yoga and meditation are self-care tools she uses in her daily routine, and how apparent failures are just detours in the right direction. Get your dose of optimism and confidence and tune in to this episode today.

Devotion to primary health care nursing + cheerfulness + self-care = APNA’s own, Jo Millard

Joining us in this edition of ‘Not Just a Nurse’ is Brianna Ford. Brianna is an aged care nurse with close to 15 years’ experience in the industry. In our chat, Brianna explains how separated the health care industry and aged care industry are with the Royal commission. And how this inspired her to start her own multidisciplinary organisation this year, with a goal to create a geriatric system of engagement in primary health care and bring together the governments health and aged care systems. We also discuss the beautiful wisdom and advice learned from working in aged care, to the strangest things that can happen on a full moon night shift at 2am. Not only will you learn a lot, be inspired, and laugh, you’ll also walk away feeling warm and fuzzy. Get comfortable and tune in.

Nurse-led innovation in aged care

In this podcast, APNA's membership duo Murphy Woods and Casey Mannix talk about all things primary health care nursing, and how to position yourself for a successful and rewarding career.